'''Unown''' ([[List of Japanese Pokémon names|Japanese]]: '''アンノーン''' ''Unknown'') is a {{type|Psychic}} Pokémon.

'''Unown''' ([[List of Japanese Pokémon names|Japanese]]: '''アンノーン''' ''Unknown'') is a {{type|Psychic}} Pokémon.

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While it is not known to [[Evolution|evolve]] into or from any other Pokémon, as of [[Generation III#Kanto|Generation III]], Unown has [[Form differences#Unown|28 derivative shapes]], chronicled in the [[Unown Dex]] in [[Generation II]] and the [[Unown Report]] in {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}}. There are 26 Latin alphabet characters, plus ''?'' (question mark) and ''!'' (exclamation mark) introduced in [[Generation III]]. In Generation II, its shape is determined by its [[individual values]], whereas in Generation III and beyond, it is determined by its [[personality value]]. They are to do with the mythology of most generation IV games.

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While it is not known to [[Evolution|evolve]] into or from any other Pokémon, as of [[Generation III#Kanto|Generation III]], Unown has [[Form differences#Unown|28 derivative shapes]], chronicled in the [[Unown Dex]] in [[Generation II]] and the [[Unown Report]] in {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}}. There are 26 Latin alphabet characters, plus ''?'' (question mark) and ''!'' (exclamation mark) introduced in [[Generation III]]. In Generation II, its shape is determined by its [[individual values]], whereas in Generation III and beyond, it is determined by its [[personality value]].

==Biology==

==Biology==

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Unown live in [[Alternate dimension|their own dimension]].

Unown live in [[Alternate dimension|their own dimension]].

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When they move to the [[Pokémon world]], Unown seem to prefer to make their habitat in ancient ruins stuck to the walls, appearing only in the [[Ruins of Alph]] in [[Johto]], the [[Tanoby Chambers]] in the [[Sevii Islands]], the [[Solaceon Ruins]] in [[Sinnoh]], and [[Unown Relic]] and [[Aegis Cave]] in the [[Pokémon world (Mystery Dungeon)|Mystery Dungeon world]]. They have also been seen at the [[Sinjoh Ruins]].

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When they move to the [[Pokémon world]], Unown seem to prefer to make their habitat in ancient ruins stuck to the walls, appearing only in the [[Ruins of Alph]] in [[Johto]], the [[Tanoby Chambers]] in the [[Sevii Islands]], the [[Solaceon Ruins]] in [[Sinnoh]], and [[Unown Relic]] and [[Aegis Cave]] in the [[Pokémon world (Mystery Dungeon)|Mystery Dungeon world]]. They have also been seen at the [[Sinjoh Ruins]]. They are to do with the mythology of most generation IV games.

Biology

Physiology

Unown are floating, flat, eye-shaped Pokémon with appendages that make them resemble letters. They are black all over. All alphabetic Unown have fully open eyes while the two punctuation Unown have half-closed eyes.

Gender differences

This Pokémon is genderless.

Special abilities

In the anime, they are capable of reading the thoughts of other lifeforms. Great numbers of them are capable of warping reality to suit the dreams and wishes of whoever they read the thoughts of and is in control of the Unown. However, they can only do this when more Unown are present, so it could be a shared effort rather than an ability unique to each Unown.

Behavior

Unown can make telepathic contact with humans (as well as many other creatures). Unown have a timidness that makes them rarely venture outside of their dimension. They tend to stick to walls or orbit other Unown when in a group.

Diet

In the anime

Major appearances

Unown play a large role in the third movie, creating the illusions which drive the plot.

Notes about Unown can be seen on Professor Oak's computer at the beginning of the movie. The information (as presented in the Japanese version) has been cleaned up and transcribed here:

Because of their very timid and careful character, Unown do not want to go out to the external world.

Unown have the power to perceive the feelings of other creatures (including human beings).

Unown communicate with each other over electromagnetic waves but cannot use telepathy.

Given all this, Unown are still classified as a species of Pokémon, as opposed to any other sort of creature.

Other

An Unown fell out of the Unown dimension in Address Unown!. After it was healed by the group, it helped defend against Team Rocket and its mind merged with that of Ash's Larvitar so that the group could help it to address its inner pain.

Unown later appear in Volume 24, having been awakened by Sird from the Tanoby Ruins to use as a distraction while she fought Lorelei. The Unown later appear again throughout the volume, being employed by Team Rocket as living security cameras while impeding the progress of Red, Blue and Green.

It also appeared in DP saga when Diamond, Pearl and Platinum were visiting Solaceon Town. Diamond and Pearl befriended two Unown (D and P) who behaved like them.

Unown's most recent appearance is in the HGSS saga, being summoned forth at the Sinjoh Ruins while Arceus is attempting a creation ritual much like on the games. Unlike the games however, no Cynthia is present, all three of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina appear, most likely under the influence of the Executives, known as the Four Generals in the manga.

In the TCG

Other appearances

When one Unown is released from a Poké Ball it will fly off the screen. It then returns with a large swarm similar to what Beedrill did in the original Super Smash Bros. The only difference is that Beedrill only attack from left or right while Unown can come from any direction. Any opponent caught in this is damaged and juggled.

There are also a number of Unown Pokéfloats. In the second half of the cycle, a number fly across the screen. Towards the end of the cycle, staying on the stage relies on hopping between the Unown.

Trophy Information

These Psychic-type symbol Pokémon resemble ancient hieroglyphics found on rocks, a resemblance that's said to be more than superficial. Quite a few different shapes of Unown have been confirmed, and it's believed that each type has unique abilities. These enigmatic Pokémon can be found in the Ruins of Alph.

Trivia

It is the first non-legendary to be in a central role in a Pokémon movie: Spell of the Unown.

In the movie Professor Oak had some pictures of unreleased Unown on his computer. They resemble a few Greek alphabet letters, especially σ (lowercase sigma), Σ (capital sigma), Π (pi), and Ω (omega). The top left large image also resembles the Greek Ȣ (ou). However, lowercase letters have never been made into Unown before, so this may be an error or a misinterpretation by fans. The top-middle Unown may be also a variation of an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, the Eye of Horus, or the Russian letter Я (ya). One unreleased Unown resembles Russian letter Ю (yu). Another resembles the Cyrillic letter б (be). This may lead to the conclusion that there are more forms of Unown, being the prototypes of other known (or unknown) alphabets.

It is, however, possible that the creators of the carvings drew Unown in the form of other letters and symbols, even if actual living equivalents did not exist.

It is also stated that the Unown communicate with each other using electromagnetic waves, specifically noting that they cannot use telepathy. However, this is contradicted by a later episode as well as Unown's Pearl Pokédex entry.

Unown apparently generate a radio signal where they are found in large numbers, which can be listened to by any Trainer with a Pokégear. If the player listens closely, the radio signal plays the melody of the Azure Flute.

If a player does not have Unown's Pokédex data on a Generation II game when in Oak's lab in Pokémon Stadium 2, Unown's Pokédex number is listed as 252 instead of 201. This happens regardless of which Pokédex display mode is selected.

Unown currently is represented in the Trading Card Game by the most cards of any Pokémon, at 86 unique cards.

It has the smallest movepool of all Pokémon, learning only one move, Hidden Power, and being unable to learn any other moves through TMs, HMs, and Pokémon breeding (as it cannot breed). It shares this distinction with Ditto and Smeargle; however, unlike Unown, Ditto and Smeargle can potentially expand their move pools through the use of Transform and Sketch, respectively.

Unown has the most officially recognized alternate forms of any Pokémon.

Due to Unown's letter and Shininess both being determined by IVs in Generation II, only Shiny Unown I and V are possible in these games.

Origin

Their appearances are corruptions of the modern Latin alphabet, as well as the exclamation mark (!) and question mark (?) punctuation marks, and the G form of Unown may be based on a double-story lower case G. The shapes of the Unown are used like runes in the Pokémon world, although in Hoenn and the Sevii Islands their place has been taken by Braille.